50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance

A highlight of the 50th Anniversary year was the Gala Dinner Dance on Sat., Mar. 31, 2012, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, CT. The event attracted more than 550 people and grossed about $350,000 -- the second-most successful fundraiser in school history. (The first was the cross-country Bike-a-Thon in 1992 led by Rev. Henry Frascadore, which raised $750,000 and began the NWC endowment.)

Proceeds from the Gala will go entirely toward annual and endowed scholarships. Click here for a slideshow of photos from the event.

Under the leadership of Director of Advancement Patricia Walsh, a Gala Sponsorship Committee chaired by Terry Notte Becker '76 garnered commitments from 73 different corporations, families, and individuals grossing more than $250,000. The major sponsors are listed on the right side of this page; click here for a listing of $2,500 sponsors, and here for the $1,000 sponsors.

The Gala's honorary co-chairs were Laura Connelly Allen ’65 and Richard Allen, Ned Guillet ’69, and Kathy Collagan Wentworth ’65 and Ned Wentworth ’65. The Gala Planning Committee was co-chaired by current parents Mary Butler and Kara Cunningham Langan '81. They were assisted by current parents Vicki Ferrell (raffle baskets) and Kim Shea (invitations and registration); alumni parent Madelyn Filomeno (decorations), and KC Connors O'Brien '81 and Kip Parker '82 (event advisers). NWC's Director of Constituent Relations Jane Leary was the in-house coordinator.

Local media personalities Irene O’Connor ’85 and alumni parent Brad Davis shared emcee duties for the evening, which featured live music by “Celebration;” a live auction; a focused "raise the paddle" fundraiser for financial aid; and tabletop tributes to 45 NWC influential teachers, coaches, moderators, staff, and/or administrators who were nominated by alums for recognition. Nearly $80,000 was raised just on the night of the Gala.